The Middle East Studies
Center holds seminars, scientific research symposiums, and brainstorming
sessions on topics concerning the Middle East region and the main influences
of change there. For this purpose, it hosts experts, scholars, politicians
and educated leaders from Jordan and abroad. Of
Jan 2005, 29 activities
of this sort have been held by the center. The center also participates
in scientific conferences and seminars held by Jordanian research centers
and universities with one of its specialized researchers in seminars and
conferences. In fact, the center has taken part in more than
45 scientific seminars and conferences inside and outside Jordan, in addition to the
center’s academic visits to research and studies centers in Jordan and
many other countries, such as Russia, Germany, Canada, Britain, the United
States, France, Emarates, Lebanon, Qatar, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tunis, Egypt and others.
During such visits and participation, the center has persisted in building
academic relations with different centers and establishments of
research
and studies, whether in research cooperation or coordination or exchanging
publications and visits.

Major Conferences
& Seminars Held by the Center

Violations of Human Rights in
Palestine - Seminar

The Political & Social Out comes of the Religious Education
(Islamic,Christian & Jewish)

The Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) held a
seminar on " The Independent Palestinian State", where the MESC General
Director, Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad, opened the seminar explaining the importance of
this subject and its contribution in setting down the program for the
establishment of the independent Palestinian state. He gave a historical
analysis of the notable political events and developments related to the
Palestinian issue, beginning from the 1948 aggression on Palestine, passing
through the "Intifada" (uprising) and ending in the peace talks. During the
rule of the Israeli Labor Party, these talks witnessed a switch in the Israeli
strategy towards the Palestinian State, in spite of occasional obstructions.
The MESC Director concluded his paper calling upon participants hoping to
reach an up most joint vision through objective dialogue leading to
recommendations, which may serve the Palestinian issue and people. He
emphasized the importance of this seminar as peace talks begins the final
stage which raise the most important questions about the nature of the
independent Palestinian state and its future.In the first session, under the chairman Mr.
Tahir Al-Massry Miss Maha Abdul-Hadi, presented the first paper entitled: "The
Palestinian Entity 1948-1974 in the Arab Strategy". She illustrated that the
first, out of the six periods, represents Palestinian entity through the "All
Palestine Government" in 1948, that was the first Palestinian political
experience and which was marked by poor action and poor Arab support.The second period of 1948-1963 witnessed the
partition of Palestinian geographical status by the Israeli occupation and
Arab states. It also witnessed attempts for re-organization of the Palestinian
people whose refugees were divided in the Arab countries. At the establishment
of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, the idea of the
Palestinian entity had no geographic, political or organizational distinct
(the third period).The fourth period came after the 1967 war, which
put the foundations for independent Palestinian character, which went through
political confusion during the fifth stage in 1970-1974. This period witnessed
UN resolution No, 242, the September war between PLO and the Jordanian army in
1970 and the 1973 war.The researcher concluded her paper with the sixth
stage, or the stage of full entity awareness, 1973-977, which represented the
outcome of accumulated development of Palestinian entity and its independence,
as the PLO was confirmed to be the sole legal representative of the
Palestinian people by the Arab summit in report 1974.In the second session, presided over by Dr.
Abdul-Lattif Arabiayt, Dr. Abdullah Abu Eyd presented the first paper,
entitled "The Palestinian State: Characterization, Factors and Legal Status",
in which he tackled the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian
state within certain factors supported by legal basis which guarantee the
right of self-determination and return of the refugees. His paper came to a
conclusion that these possibilities are presently unavailable.In the second paper, Mr. Nabeel Amro talked about
the "Conceivable Scenarios and Options of the Palestinian State in the Final
Solution Negotiations". He discussed number of thoughts, including his insist
that the Palestinian State is not a negotiable item but a Palestinian
sovereign decision. He discussed the Palestinian, Israeli, Arab and
international dimensions and their effect on the Palestinian State issue.Under the same title, Dr. Fareed Abu Dhair
theoretically discussed the subject of final solution, including the raised
issues. He discussed the Israeli options resulting from acceptance of the
Palestinian State, the Palestinian vision of the same subject, in addition to
other Arab, Islamic and international dimensions. He concluded his paper
posing possible scenarios for the final solution and negotiations.Dr.Meshaqba discussed the various thoughts and
visions within the same subject of the Palestinian State, on the basis of the
present state of affairs and the role of the Palestinian Authority in
preserving the factors of the state. Dr. Iyad Barghothi, discussed the
Palestinian national program from 1974 to 1993, through stages, which
confirmed the Palestinian rights and sovereignty of Palestinian
representation.The seminar concluded by Mr.Jawad Al Hamad's
speech confirming the most important recommends by participants and posing the
success of the seminar.

Recommendation

The declaration of an independent and
sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital constitutes an Arab
and Palestinian ambition, as well as a normal right to the Palestinian people
in accordance with the international legitimacy and historical right.

The emphasis on the Arab and Islamic depth as
the sponsor of the Independent Palestinian state, which requires the increase
of the efficiency of the Arab role. This can be achieved through coordination
with the Palestinians giving no chance to the Israeli side to dominate the
Palestinian side.It can also be achieved by the immediate Arabian cognition of
such state.

The right of the refugees to return to their
lands from which they were expelled, and to be compensated for the damaged
they had suffered from are the bases for any political permanent solution that
the Palestinians may accept, even if temporarily. The newly born state should
not be help responsible for such a return.

A call for putting together a team of
academic experts (5-10) to conduct open discussion seminars over the coming
two months, both in Jordan and Palestine (politicians, economists and lawmen).
The reason for that is to offer visions and expertise in the field of the
permanent solution and the Palestinian state, so as to help the Palestinian
side crystallize a legal policy to the new Palestinian situation as a state
rights in the permansolution talks.

A call for sticking with the state's Arab and
Islamic depth, and getting rid of the Israeli dominance over its
establishment, relationships, and eternal structure.

Giving importance to the terms of the state
and its independence components, as an introduction to solve the entire
Palestinian problem, and not Israel's security, demographic, and economic
problems.

The endeavor to obtain a national Palestinian
unanimity on the state, in terms of the preparation or the components, and to
carry out a broadened dialogue on that, both inside and outside before signing
any obligatory agreement that limit the absorbing of some future Palestinian
ambitions and tendencies.

Dr. of Political Science, Applied Sciences
Univ. and Chairman of Jordanian Society for Political Science & Former
Minister of Social Development.P.O. Box: 926296 Amman (11931) JordanTel.: 5237181Fax: 5232899

Mr. Falih Tawil

Member of diplomatic corps, Jordan
Ambassador to many countries.e-mail :
Falah@go.comTel.: 5334708Fax: 5350805

The Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) held a
specialized seminar on "The Vital Interests of Jordan: Components and
Challenges", along two sessions. The participants included in elite of
Jordanian University professors, politicians and intellectuals.The seminar was commenced by the MESC director,
Mr. Jawad Al Hamad saying that Jordan and world entering into the third
millennium necessitated careful consideration of Jordan vital interests and
putting its plans and programs accordingly. He stressed the importance of
realizing the lower and higher of Jordan interests to avoid falling down in
the mist, momentary incitement of blind comparison with conditions and
situations unsuitable for the age of technology, information, market economy
and globalism.In the first session, presided over by Prof.
Ishaq Al-Farhan, chancellor of Zarqa Univ., Dr. Abdul Fattah Rashdan, Prof. of
political sciences at Mu'ta Univ., introduced a paper on "The Concept of Vital
National Interests in Contemporary International Politics", where he defined
the aim of the research within the concept of national interests and its
components. He discussed the national interests within a theoretical framework
mentioning the realistic and behavioral schools. He discussed each regarding
the concept of national interests stressing on the main critics of each.Dr. Sa'd Abu Dayah, Prof. of political sciences
at the Univ. of Jordan introduced his paper entitled: "The Real Challenges in
the Face of Jordanian Government during the Reign of King Abdullah 2". He
defined these challenges in the light of speeches by King Abdullah 2. He
compared between those speeches and the speeches of the late King Hussein
during his early years of reign. He found out the differences of priorities,
interests and challenges at the beginning of both periods of reign.Then, Dr. Husni Al-Shayab presented his paper
"The Vital Arab Interests Between Nationalism and Pan-Arabism". He stressed
that, in social sciences, there is no dialectical concept other than concept
of interest. Dr. Shayab posed number of questions about the nature of the
state. He questioned the major ties between these interests and people,
country or the regime. He also out this questions on who determines the
interests of the state.In the second session presided by Dr.Amin
Mashaqbeh, Dr. Mohd. 'Owaida, Dean of Shari'a Faculty at Zarqa' Univ.,
presented his paper on "Jordan Civilizational Identity and its Role in Shaping
Vital Interests". He defined Jordan's Interests in the light of its Arab and
Islamic origins and its role accordingly. The politics and programs of Jordan
governments, consequently, should be in consistent with this perspective.The last speaker was the Jordanian diplomat, Dr.
Falih Tawil, who presented his paper: "Jordan Vital National Interests and the
expected vital shift in the next Decade, 2000-2010". He began with defining
the concept of vital national interests for any nation, showing that the
concept is different from one place to another. He discussed the historical
and political international map and its effect on Jordan. He mentioned the
impact of this influence on the planning of Jordan policies locating
interests.By the end of the seminar, the participants gave
suggestions, which included ideas put forward by presented papers and
discussions, helping in planning for the Jordanian national vital interests.

Recommendations

The national vital interest is considered a basic guide to the
decision-maker, and the most important factor in determining his international
relation ships.

The fundamental bases for the country's vital interests are: the
protection of the regional security, developing the state's power and economic
capabilities, defending the state's ideology, and sustaining and preserving
the national culture.

Jordan's civilizational identity is an Arab and Muslim one. If its vital
interests are to be achieved, they must be based on that perspective and
attached to it.

The national interests must not take priority over the nation's interests;
Balance and moderateness should be adhered to while examining the different
alternatives.

Some of the national vital interests are: the accomplishment of profound
economic reforms, the concentration on the external challenges and threats,
besides, good neighborhood in shaping those interests is a national necessity.

The country's vital interests is facing great challenges in the coming
decade, The main are :

A- Designing the Jordanian- Palestinian relations ships
on solid bases that are Invulnerable to other parties.

The Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) held a
Seminar on the democratic experiences in the Arab world under the entitled:
" Democracy in the Arab World: Challenges and Future, Part1". Five
papers were presented about democratic experiences in Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen. Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad opened the seminar giving a
speech, which stressed the relation between experience and the essence of
the state and society. Mr. Al-Hamad stressed the importance of the
experience role in protecting the nation from self-isolation and
confinement, and warned that non-democratic attempts may lead Arab societies
to radical fundamentalism, which will exhaust the nation power and
potentials. He said that sound application of democracy based on freedom for
all people to compete for power would minimize chances for using violence to
achieve political aims. He called upon Arab governments to broaden the
margins of political freedoms.In the first session presided over by Dr.Salah
Jarrar, Dr. Moh. Ashar'ah, Dr. of political science at Yarmouk Univ.
discussed the Jordanian democratic experience. He described it as a novel
democracy because Jordan is a new political entity in the region. He put in
detail the work experience since independence, including issued democratic
laws, constitutions, and elections. He referred to the important political
powers, which participated in the new democratic experience from 1989 to
1997. Mr. Ashar'ah's paper dealt with democratic changes in Jordan and
expressed optimism in future democratic experience if barriers are avoided
and margins of people freedom and participation are broadened.Then, Mr. Mohd. Al-Aleem, ex. Kuwaiti Member of
Parliament took over and began by mentioning the growth of democracy
phenomenon in the world. He discussed the Kuwaiti political history and
circles of democratic experience since 1716. He detailed the stages of
constitutional system in Kuwait, which was towered by establishment of
democratic parliamentary rule. Mr. Al-Aleem described the present political
situation in Kuwait as a political theater composed of two main groups of
players: the government on one side and political movements of undeclared
parties on the other. He concluded mentioning number of positive and
negative elements in Kuwaiti democratic process and the promosing future of
Kuwaiti experience.Then, Dr. Ahmad Burssan presented a paper
prepared by Mr. Ma'n Bshour, Chairman of the Arab National Forum in Beirut,
Lebanon. This came in the second session, presided over by Mr. Najeeb Al-Rashdan.The paper mentioned that the Lebanese
constitution goes back to 1926 and emphasized the deep-rooted Lebanese
experience, being a leading one among the Arab legislations and the third
world. But, in spite of the development of the political system in Lebanon,
it still faces difficulties and retraction of the role of non-sectarian
parties for the benefit of sectarian ones.Dr. Ahmad Al-Assbahi, former ForeignMinister at Yemen, presented his paper saying
that Yemen was the cradle of the first democracy in history. Democracy,
therefor, settled in the hearts of Yemenis and became an attitude refusing
non-democratic behavior. Dr. Assbahi, then, dealt with the stages the Yemeni
democracy went through. While there were positive factors, which
participated in the development of democracy movement in Yemen, there were
also other negative factors. The most he mentioned including the narrow
loyalties and illiteracy, which have hindered that movement. Dr. Assbahi
stated that Yemeni citizen is still at the initial stage of dealing with his
political rights and that democracy has not crystallized yet as a culture.The last paper was presented on Sudanese
democratic experience, by Prof. Al-Sheikh Al-Amin, Prof. of history at A'l
Al Beit Univ., he tackled the political events that have affected the
Sudanese experience, such as conflicts, coups and tensions. Concerning the
present experience, Dr. Al-Amin defined three problems facing the national
salvation (Inqath) government: the civilization identity, the political
system and the economic program for development. He answered the audience
that the present government has succeeded in solving the last two problems,
while it still dealing the first one hardly.Dr.Ahmad Al Burssan edits the book of all
paper. To order your copy click here.

Recommendations

A call should be addressed to the Arab
governments to expand the margins of political freedom, to adopt the
programs of democratic transformation, and to avoid the divisions that
tear apart the country and the nation.

Implementing democracy on the basis of
freedom fall all in competing for assuming power in our countries can
decrease opportunities for resorting to violence to achieve political
objectives. It can also limit extremism phenomena and direct the
capabilities of the society towards building and giving.

The positive rof sArab democracies
reflects on the whole Arab democratic exercises making it a good motive
for the hesitance.

Reviewing of the past mistakes and the
correction of the democratic experiences can contribute to its support and
development constantly.

The Arab homeland is still on the onset
of dealing with its political rights. Still the democratic process has not
intensely crystallized. Hence; the institutions of the civil society are
required to strengthen the political and democracies exercise for the Arab
citizen, and to make him aware of his entire rights.

Treating the differences among the
democratic formalities through constitutions and implementing them on the
existing reality of the Arab World.

Former minister of labourCoordinator of Relief Project with UN and
Hashimite Body for ReliefFormer Prof. Of Economic, Univ. of JordanTel. : 4613553Telfax : 5164469

Abstract

At the occasion of celebrating its 8th
anniversary, and the occasion of Jordan Independence Day, the MESC held a
seminar on “MESC in Eight Years: Achievements and Expectations” on
24.5.1999.The seminar covered two sessions during which
eight researchers tackled two main issues.The seminar was attended by a host of academics,
politicians and Arab experts. About eighty academic and political notables
participated in the discussions.The opening ceremony included two speeches, the
first by Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad, Director G. of MESC. He referred to the seminar
importance in evaluating the scientific methodology followed by the MESC for
development and innovation objectives.Mr. Al-Hamad seized the opportunity of MESC 8th
anniversary to call for more achievements in the field of freedom of opinion,
information, scientific research and for encouragement of the creative.Dr. Adnan Hayajnah, Dr. of political sciences,
gave the second presentation, where he presented a reading and analysis of
MESC works in 8 years. He stressed on the most important achievements of MESC
and tried to illustrate and explain them through factors of its success along
two periods: the first of 1991-1995, and the second of 1995-1999. Dr. Al-Hayajnah
highlighted the MESC scientific publications and their subjects.In the first session presided over by Dr. Mohd.
Massalha, the secretary General of the Jordanian Parliament, and Dr. of
political sciences at the Univ. of Jordanian, he introduced Dr. Ahmed Al-Borssan
with his paper entitled "Review of foreign and Arab centers concerned with
Middle East studies, and the position of MESC among them: A comparative
study". Dr. Al-Borssan attracted attention to the importance and role of
accurate, comprehensive and objective information, and role of scientific
analysis decision making. He, then, gave a historical presentation of
development stages and types of study centers in the world since the beginning
of the 20th century. He concluded his paper with a comparison between Arab and
foreign centers of Studies. He mentioned specific the forward rank that MESC
gain among Arab and international research centers.After that, Dr. Barakat, Dr. of political
sciences at Yarmouk Univ., introduced the second paper entitled: "The
importance of research centers in the West and Israel in Decision making". Dr.
Abdul-Fattah Al-Rashdan followed him with his paper entitled: "The scientific
methodology in MESC research works and studies, and their development". He
stated the important foundations and rules of research work, in the light of
which he evaluated the research works and studies of MESC. Dr. Al-Rashdan
attracted attention to negative aspects and concluded giving some
recommendations to raise the standard of research work.In the 2nd session, presided over by Dr. Salih
Khassawnah, former minister of labour, he introduced Dr. Ibrahim Abu-Arqoub,
Prof. of sociology at the Jordanian Univ. His paper was entitled: "MESC: its
relations with society and its presence in the media". He stated the MESC
methods to reach various classes of society through personal and mass
communication methods.After that, Dr. Ahmad Sa'eed Naufal, Prof. and
head of political science section at Yarmouk Univ., presented his paper
entitled: "Quantitative and qualitative analysis of studies issued by MESC'.
The paper included statistical and analytic ratios and numbers about the MESC
publications.Dr. Waleed Abdul-Hay Prof. of political sciences
at Yarmouk Univ., introduced the fourth paper : "A quantitative and
qualitative analysis of MESC symposia and conferences". He discussed the
important of MESC symposia and conferences and their wide level effects.The last participant was Dr. Majdi Omar,
part-time researcher at MESC in the field of international relations and
Middle East. His paper, "Administrative philosophy and its applications in the
work of MESC", discussed the existing administrative philosophy based on staff
participation in program making and execution. He talked about stages of
administration development and providing convenient atmosphere to achieve that
objective.

Recommendations

The continuation of offering a scientific
approach which the center adopts so as to improve it and to avoid its
defects.

To benefit from the expertise of the Arab
and foreign centers which are specialized in similar fields to those of the
center's, Moreover, to make a comparison in order to reveal the aspects of
improvement and limitation in the center's work.

Strengthening and supporting the center's
diversed activities and programs, particularly those related to serving the
society as well as the country, planning the strategies towards the future
and decision-making in Jordan and the Middle East in general.

Working towards more openness terms of the
freedom of expression and informat. Also, reinforcing the basis of the
scientific research, and encouraging the creative.